Council unanimously approves amendment to city manager professional services agreement

The Mill Creek City Council unanimously approved a resolution amending the professional services agreement with City Manager Martin Yamamoto that adjusts his base salary and changes severance terms.

Council members said the change follows the annual performance review. A council member who moved the resolution said the amendment “basically expresses our confidence in our city manager,” and noted the council completed an annual review with a positive result.

City staff told the council the salary adjustment is intended to bring the manager’s pay closer to the median of comparable cities. The change is not intended to reach the regional average but to make Mill Creek more competitive so the city “would like him to not have a reason to leave,” the agenda summary said.

The council noted a merit-pay option had been used previously and that this amendment instead raises the base rate. The motion passed unanimously; no abstentions or no votes were recorded.

Barb Heidel, a Mill Creek resident who spoke during audience communication, thanked council members and the city manager for progress under the current manager, saying she is “very pleased with the growth I’ve seen since Martin has taken over the city manager position.”

The amendment was prepared by the city attorney and presented as a resolution on the council agenda. The amendment and supporting materials are in the city packet and will be maintained in the official record.